Rapid Uptake of Testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV From an Online Platform, April-October 2020.

Melendez, Johan H; Gilliams, Elizabeth A; Yu, Tong; Williford, Sarah L; Armington, Gretchen S; Silver, Barbara; Huebner, Adam; Gaydos, Charlotte A et al. · Am J Public Health · 2022

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Abstract

The Baltimore City Health Department (Baltimore, MD) promoted IWantTheKit for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV testing to city residents and clinic patients when COVID-19 restricted in-person clinic services. From April to October 2020, monthly online IWantTheKit orders increased by 645%. A high prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea was detected, and 96% of users who tested positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea were successfully contacted for treatment. Uptake by Baltimore City Health Department priority populations and excellent treatment linkage demonstrated how a public health-academic partnership successfully addressed a service gap during the pandemic. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2022;112(7):985-989. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306835).

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